Pakistan's geographical positioning has long placed it at the crossroads of global trade. However, the country now finds itself unwillingly entangled in the relentless tide of the international drug trade.
Sharing contiguous borders with Afghanistan and Iran, Pakistan is often mischaracterised as a source country for drugs, despite being a victim of the illicit flow transiting through its territory.
The gravity of this challenge demands proper recognition of Pakistan's sustained struggle against drug smuggling, the immense problems it faces, and the unwavering resolve demonstrated by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and other law-enforcement agencies in combating this transnational crisis.
Globally, the economic model of illicit drug trafficking revolves around the principle of demand and supply, with Afghanistan positioned as the epicentre of heroin production, supplying almost 90% of the world’s opioids.
According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), around 40% of Afghan-produced heroin transits through Pakistan, making its way to lucrative markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Europe, and beyond.
The 2,640km-long porous border with Afghanistan, coupled with a 1,046km coastal belt, provides traffickers with multiple avenues to exploit, making enforcement an ongoing battle against smuggling networks.
While Pakistan is often depicted as a conduit for drug trafficking, it is imperative to understand that the country itself is not the intended consumer market. Being used as a transit route for drug trafficking brings its own detrimental effects. Pakistan is grappling with a rising number of addiction cases. According to a drug survey conducted in 2013, an estimated 6.7 million Pakistanis suffer from substance abuse disorders, the majority of whom are young people.
This crisis, fuelled by international drug trafficking networks, not only disrupts the social fabric of society but also places an enormous strain on public health infrastructure and law-enforcement resources. As a frontline state, Pakistan is battling an epidemic it did not create but one due to which it continues to bear the socio-economic burden and security threats associated with the menace of international drug trafficking.
The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) is at the frontlines of Pakistan’s counter-narcotics response. In 2024, ANF intercepted and confiscated over 176 metric tons of illicit drugs, valued at $10 billion in the international markets. ANF efforts span multiple domains, including high-risk interdiction operations at border crossings, airports and seaports, where traffickers continuously evolve their methods to deceive security measures.
Beyond seizures, ANF has also strengthened its collaborations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and other international law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) like DEA (USA), NCA(UK) and CTF-151 (Multi-nation Naval Task Force) to enhance intelligence sharing and disrupt smuggling syndicates before shipments reach their destinations. Recent joint operations with authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have led to the dismantling of several transnational trafficking networks.
With the continuous evolution of concealment methods and tactics, one growing concern is the use of courier services to transport narcotics. Concealed within parcels, disguised as legal goods, and accompanied by forged documentation, drug traffickers have increasingly exploited international logistics networks to bypass traditional security measures.
In the past year alone, the ANF intercepted over 200 drug shipments linked to courier services, highlighting the need for updated screening protocols and stronger collaboration between law-enforcement agencies and private-sector service providers.
The challenge goes beyond physical interdiction; the digitalisation of illicit transactions and the use of the dark web for narcotics trade further complicate enforcement efforts, necessitating the integrated use of advanced technologies and data-driven intelligence operations.
The impact of drug trafficking extends far beyond the realm of law enforcement.
Pakistan's youth, comprising 64% of the nation’s population, remain vulnerable – with drug trafficking fuelling an insidious cycle of addiction, crime and societal deterioration. Every year, thousands of young Pakistanis become dependent on substance use, resulting in traumatised futures, diminishing productivity and a surge in drug-related crimes.
Addressing the drug menace is not merely a security imperative; it is a battle to safeguard the future of the nation. Advocacy campaigns, grassroots educational interventions, and targeted rehabilitation programmes are crucial in preventing young individuals from falling prey to addiction and in reintegrating recovering patients into society.
The fight against narco-smuggling cannot be waged by any single nation alone. Given the transnational nature of the narcotics trade, a unified global response is essential. The GCC nations, along with other key stakeholders, must recognise Pakistan’s role as a frontline state and extend meaningful diplomatic and operational support to strengthen its efforts to curb the menace of narcotic substances and their trafficking.
Strengthening maritime patrols, investing in border security technology, enhancing legal frameworks and institutionalising intelligence-sharing mechanisms are just a few of the collaborative steps necessary to stem the tide of drug trafficking. Without such coordinated efforts, drug traffickers will continue to exploit systemic vulnerabilities, perpetuating a crisis that threatens both regional stability and global security.
Pakistan’s relentless battle against narcotics smuggling is not merely a domestic concern but a vital contribution to the broader international efforts against narcotic smuggling.
Despite economic constraints and mounting security challenges, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) and protecting future generations from the perils of drug addiction. International players must work together to eliminate the billion-dollar illicit narco-economy. Through sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and strategic enforcement the tide can be turned against this transnational menace, securing a safer future for all.
The writer is permanent faculty at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). She can be reached at: chivalier37gmail.com
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